Air Quality Status During Pandemic Covid19 in Urban and Sub-Urban Area in Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract This paper discussed the API status in the urban and sub-urban cities in Malaysia before, during and after Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in year the 2020. The lockdown implemented worldwide including Malaysia has come as a respite to the environment, especially in air pollutant levels. 2 cities have been chosen in this study that is Kangar (suburban) and Cheras (urban). The Air Pollutant Index (API) data recorded on an hourly basis throughout different series of national lockdown phases was obtained from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index website. The findings show that the API status quality in sub-urban does not change much compare to the urban area. But it can be seen that the API reduces during MCO implementation in the sub-urban and urban areas. This is because, during the MCO, there are several restrictions on mass movement and gatherings, and the closure of educational institutions, government and private agencies (except for essential services). This MCO restriction reduced the traffic density, industrial activities, and other social activities.